Inflatable support, kit and method

Abstract

An inflatable support, kit of parts for forming a system for immobilizing a human leg, and a method of preparing an inflatable bag for supporting a human leg. The inflatable support includes a bag that has a single body having a first surface and a second surface. The body of the inflatable bag is made up of multiple air chambers running generally throughout. Portions of the bag between adjacent air chambers of the body form joined regions, such as notches, that allow the inflatable bag to bend to conform to the contours of a human leg. The inflatable bag body has a valve attached thereto so as to allow an inflation medium to pass into one or more of the air chambers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An inflatable support for a human leg, said support comprising 
 an inflatable bag comprising a unitary body having a first sheet having a first surface and a second sheet having a second surface 
 wherein said body comprises at least one joined region in which said first sheet is joined to said second sheet, said at least one joined region being located and dimensioned to allow the bag to bend to conform to a human limb and to define two inflatable air chambers;  
 wherein said body is dimensioned to wrap about a substantial portion of a human leg when each of said air chambers is inflated; and  
 wherein said body is manufactured of a material that is capable of pressurization and sufficiently flexible to bend along each joined region to conform to a human limb; and  
   at least one valve in fluid communication with at least one of said inflatable air chambers.    
     
     
         2 . The inflatable bag of  claim 1  wherein each of said at least one joined region comprises a notch and wherein each air chamber is in fluid communication with all other air chambers.  
     
     
         3 . The inflatable bag of  claim 2  wherein said inflatable bag further comprises a substantially firm backing attached thereto.  
     
     
         4 . The inflatable support of  claim 3  wherein said backing includes at least two shell members stabilized by at least one binding strap.  
     
     
         5 . The inflatable support of  claim 4  wherein two of said shell members further include an impact pad attached therebetween, said impact pad dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of a human heel.  
     
     
         6 . The inflatable support of  claim 2  wherein said body includes two branches defining a slot dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of a human heel.  
     
     
         7 . The inflatable support of  claim 6  further comprising an impact pad joined to at least one of said branches.  
     
     
         8 . The inflatable support of  claim 7  wherein said impact pad is at least one gel pack.  
     
     
         9 . The inflatable support of  claim 2  wherein said inflatable bag further includes a fabric material at least partially covering at least one surface of said body.  
     
     
         10 . The inflatable support of  claim 9  wherein said inflatable bag further includes a fabric material at least partially covering both surfaces of said body.  
     
     
         11 . The inflatable support of  claim 2  wherein said inflatable bag is at least partially constructed of heat-sealable material.  
     
     
         12 . The inflatable support of  claim 2  further comprising a portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to one of said first surface and said second surface.  
     
     
         13 . A kit of parts for a system for supporting a human leg, said kit comprising: 
 a stability brace having an inside surface;    an inflatable bag comprising: 
 a unitary body having a first sheet having a first surface and a second sheet having a second surface  
 wherein said body comprises at least one joined region in which said first sheet is joined to said second sheet, said at least one joined region being located and dimensioned to allow the bag to bend to conform to a human limb and to define two inflatable air chambers;  
 wherein said body is dimensioned to wrap about a substantial portion of a human leg when each of said air chambers is inflated; and  
 wherein said body is manufactured of a material that is capable of pressurization and sufficiently flexible to bend along each joined region to conform to a human limb; and  
 at least one valve in fluid communication with at least one of said inflatable air chambers.  
   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13  further comprising a unidirectional air pump dimensioned to be attached to said valve and selectively inflate and deflate at least one of said air chambers of said body.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14  wherein said air pump has an inflation orifice and a deflation orifice.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein said air pump has a bulb portion dimensioned to draw air in through said deflation orifice and out through said inflation orifice when squeezed by a user.  
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein both at least a portion of said inside surface of said stability brace, and at least a portion of said second surface of said inflatable body have hook and loop fastener components fitted to mate therebetween.  
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein each air chamber is in fluid communication with all other air chambers.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein said body includes two branches defining a slot dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of a human heel.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19  further comprising an impact pad joined to at least one of said branches.  
     
     
         21 . A method of manufacturing an inflatable bag for supporting a human leg, said method comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining at least one sheet of a heat fusible material;    cutting said at least one sheet to a desired size;    fusing said at least one sheet to form an enclosed cavity having a periphery and a plurality of interconnected air chambers;    positioning a valve in contact with said periphery of said cavity; and    securing said valve in airtight relation with the cavity;    wherein said desired size of said at least one sheet is a size sufficient to wrap about a human leg once said bag is inflated.    
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21;   wherein said at least one sheet is two sheets of a polyvinyl chloride material; and    wherein said welding step comprises welding said two sheets together using radio frequency energy.    
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said cutting step is performed concurrent with said fusing step.  
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 23  further comprising the step of injecting a fluid within said cavity.